Omarosa Manigault Newman, a former White House official and reality TV star, has recently made headlines by endorsing Kamala Harris for President. Her endorsement comes as a surprise to some, given her high-profile ties to Donald Trump. Manigault Newman initially rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of The Apprentice in 2004, where she quickly became one of Trump’s favorite contestants. This relationship later translated into a prominent role within his administration, where she served as the director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison.
Before her stint in the Trump administration, Omarosa had a political career in the 1990s, having worked in the office of Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton administration. However, her relationship with Trump soured over time, culminating in her departure from the White House in 2017 and her subsequent tell-all book, Unhinged, which offered a behind-the-scenes look at the Trump presidency and her tumultuous exit.
In a new interview with Variety, Omarosa expressed her strong belief that Trump will be particularly rattled by the prospect of losing to Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. “Donald Trump has been defeated before, and I think what’s grating on his nerves the most is that this [next] defeat may come at the hands of a woman of color,” she said. Omarosa noted that Trump has historically directed some of his most aggressive and inflammatory rhetoric towards women of color, making a potential loss to Harris particularly difficult for him to swallow.
“He reserves his most vitriolic attacks for women of color,” Omarosa explained. “To lose to a woman of color would be devastating to his ego.” This sentiment is consistent with Trump’s past behavior, as he has often targeted female politicians of color, including Harris herself, with hostile remarks during his campaign and presidency.
Omarosa’s endorsement of Harris not only reflects her personal break from Trump, but also her recognition of the significance of Harris’s candidacy. As the first Black and South Asian woman to run on a major party’s presidential ticket, Harris’s presence in the race represents a historic shift in American politics. Omarosa’s remarks highlight the profound impact that Harris’s potential victory could have on Trump, a man whose political persona has often been rooted in aggressive, sometimes divisive rhetoric.
Manigault Newman’s support for Harris also underscores a broader trend of former Trump allies distancing themselves from the former president, especially as the political landscape in the U.S. continues to evolve. Omarosa’s trajectory from Trump loyalist to one of his most vocal critics is indicative of the deep divisions that now exist even among those who once worked closely with him.
While Omarosa’s endorsement of Harris is unlikely to sway Trump’s core base, it could add to the growing chorus of discontent among those who were once part of his inner circle. For Trump, who has built his brand on loyalty and strength, losing support from a former ally like Omarosa—especially when it’s directed towards a woman of color like Harris—adds another layer of complexity to the political challenges he faces in this election.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, endorsements like Omarosa’s could play a role in shaping the narratives surrounding both candidates. For Harris, this endorsement serves as another reminder of the significant hurdles she has already overcome in her political career and the potential for even greater victories ahead. For Trump, the possibility of losing to Harris could be a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the historic nature of her candidacy and what it would mean for his legacy.
